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The firm recorded net earnings of $2.9 billion, or $5.60 per share, on $9.2 billion in revenue. The earnings figure was up 190% from a year ago and 94% from the prior quarter. For all of 2012, Goldman booked $7.5 billion in profit on revenue of $34.2 billion.

Net revenue in the fixed income, currency and commodities unit of the firm’s institutional client services unit was a standout, up 50% from a year ago to more than $2 billion. Investment banking revenue was also sharply higher, 64% above year-ago levels, with an increase in completed mergers and acquisitions upping financial advisory revenue 8% to $508 million and underwriting revenue more than doubling to $897 million.

For the year, the bank paid out $12.9 billion in compensation and benefits, up 6% from a year earlier, but accounting for less of the firm’s net revenue (37.9% vs. 42.4% in 2011). Staff headcount was down 3%.

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